CLOSEUP : Sutton Runs Circles Around the Marmonte League

Records have become a matter of course for Newbury Park’s Melissa Sutton during the first month of the cross-country season.

On Saturday she won her sixth consecutive meet of the season at the Kenny Staub Invitational at Crescenta Valley County Park, dominating a talented field and becoming the first female runner in the 19-year history of the meet to break 18 minutes on the three-mile course. Her 17:31 effort reduced the course record by 33 seconds.

That wasn’t unusual. Sutton has destroyed course records in every meet this season. Her average margin of victory this season has been 84 seconds, and she has broken each course record by at least 24 seconds.

Said Newbury Park Coach Mike Stewart: “She had a great summer of training, she’s healthy and she’s running with a lot of confidence. She’s on a roll.”